Strap for securing exhaust treatment device

ABSTRACT

A strap for securing an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The strap may have a coupler on a first end and a loop on a second end. The loop may include an inner portion, a curved portion, and an outer portion of the strap. The outer portion of the strap may be secured to the inner portion of the strap at a point of securement to form the loop. The outer portion may form an angle with respect to the inner portion that is no greater than about 10 degrees as the outer portion diverges from abutting the inner portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a strap, and moreparticularly, to a strap for securing an exhaust treatment device in anemissions control system.

BACKGROUND

In order to comply with emission standards, machine manufactures havedeveloped and implemented a variety of exhaust treatment devices toreduce pollutants in exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas being releasedinto the atmosphere. The exhaust treatment devices may include, forexample, a diesel particulate filter, a selective catalytic reductiondevice, a diesel oxidation catalyst, a fuel-fired burner forregeneration of the diesel particulate filter, a muffler, and othersimilar components.

Due to the increasing complexity and number of exhaust treatmentdevices, and the small amount of available space, manufacturers havemounted several exhaust treatment devices together on a single structureor cradle. However, securing exhaust treatment devices in a cradle in areliable manner has proven difficult.

One method for securing exhaust treatment devices in a casing isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,090 (the '090 patent) to Markey.Specifically, the '090 patent discloses an exhaust manifold supportclamp. The clamp comprises a strip of metal that is bent back on itselfto form an eye. A pin is rotatably mounted in the eye. The pin has anenlarged portion confined in a slot. The enlarged portion preventsendwise movement of the pin and is threaded for the reception of aT-shaped hinge member.

Although the device of the '090 patent may secure an exhaust manifold,the '090 device may have limitations. For example, the '090 device mayhave high stress concentrations at the eye, thus potentially leading topremature failure of the device.

The disclosed device is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a strap forsecuring an exhaust treatment device. The strap comprises a coupler on afirst end and a loop on a second end. The loop includes an innerportion, a curved portion, and an outer portion of the strap. The outerportion of the strap is secured to the inner portion of the strap at apoint of securement to form the loop. The outer portion forms an anglewith respect to the inner portion that is no greater than about 10degrees as the outer portion diverges from abutting the inner portion.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a strap forsecuring an exhaust treatment device, including a first strap memberincluding a coupler on a first end and a loop on a second end. The strapalso includes a second strap member. The second strap member includes acoupler on a first end configured to couple with the coupler of thefirst strap member. The second strap member also includes a loop on asecond end. The loop includes a flexible band of material that is loopedand secured to itself at a point of securement. A loop length is no lessthan one third of an effective length of the strap. The effective lengthis defined as a distance from an end of the loop of the first strapmember to an end of the loop of the second strap member when the couplerof the first strap member is coupled to the coupler of the second strapmember. The loop length is defined as a distance from an end of the loopof the second strap member to the point of securement.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an exhausttreatment system. The system includes a cradle and an exhaust treatmentdevice situated in the cradle. The system also includes a strap passingaround at least a portion of the exhaust treatment device to secure theexhaust treatment device to the cradle. The strap includes a first loopon a first end of the strap connected to the cradle and a second loop ona second end of the strap connected to the cradle. The second loopincludes a flexible band of material being looped and secured to itselfat a point of securement. A loop length is no less than one third of aneffective length of the strap. The effective length is defined as adistance from an end of the first loop to an end of the second loop. Theloop length is defined as a distance from the end of the second loop tothe point of securement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a power system including anemissions control system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the emissions control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a first bracket of an emissionscontrol system;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a strap for an emissionscontrol system;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a first strap member;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second strap member;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of pivoting members for use withan emissions control system; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the pivoting members of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a power system 10,which may include a power source 12 and an exhaust system 14. Powersource 12 may embody a combustion engine, such as, for example, a dieselengine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine (e.g., anatural gas engine), or any other type of combustion engine known to oneskilled in the art.

Exhaust system 14 may direct exhaust from power source 12 via an exhaustconduit 23 to an emissions control system 16. After passing throughemissions control system 16, the exhaust may be directed to theatmosphere. Emissions control system 16 of exhaust system 14 may beconfigured to monitor, control, and/or modify exhaust emissions.Emissions control system 16 may include one or more exhaust treatmentdevices 22 and a cradle 26.

Exhaust treatment devices 22 may be devices configured to reduceemissions of harmful gasses, particulate matter, and/or noise emittedfrom power source 12. Each exhaust treatment device 22 may embody, forexample a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a particulate filter (PF orDPF), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, a lean NOx trap(LNT), a muffler, a regeneration device, a reductant mixing device, orany other exhaust treatment device known in the art. It is contemplatedthat each exhaust treatment device 22 may also comprise a combination ofexhaust treatment devices, such as, for example, a combination of a DOCand a DPF; a combination of a catalyst and a DPF (i.e., a CDPF); acombination of a DOC, a DPF, and an SCR; or other combinations known inthe art.

As shown in FIG. 2, cradle 26 may be a device configured to supportmultiple exhaust treatment devices 22 using a single structure.Specifically, cradle 26 may secure exhaust treatment devices 22 in acompact configuration. Cradle 26 may include a first bracket 28 and asecond bracket 30. First bracket 28 and second bracket 30 may beoriented parallel but spaced apart from each other. First bracket 28 maycouple to second bracket 30 using one or more rigid cross members 32.Cross members 32 may attach to first and second brackets 28 and 30 viamechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.), welding,brazing, or any other joining process known in the art. Alternatively,first bracket 28, second bracket 30, and cross members 32 may be formedusing a single casting.

Each of first and second brackets 28 and 30 may include a first supportsurface 34. First support surface 34 of first bracket 28 and firstsupport surface 34 of second bracket 30 may support each end of a firstexhaust treatment device 36. Each of first and second brackets 28 and 30may also include a second support surface 38. Second support surface 38of first bracket 28 and second support surface 38 of second bracket 30may support each end of a second exhaust treatment device 40. Inaddition to connecting first and second brackets 28 and 30, one or moreof cross members 32 may support a middle portion of first exhausttreatment device 36 and/or second exhaust treatment device 40.

It is contemplated that a geometry of first support surface 34 may beshaped to match an outer geometry of first exhaust treatment device 36and a geometry of second support surface 38 may be shaped to match anouter geometry of second exhaust treatment device 40. For example, whenfirst and second exhaust treatment devices 36 and 40 are shaped ascanisters, first and second support surfaces 34 and 38 may havegenerally arcuate surfaces with substantially the same radii ofcurvature as first and second exhaust treatment devices 36 and 40,respectively.

As seen in FIG. 1, one or more straps 46 may pass over exhaust treatmentdevices 22 and secure exhaust treatment devices 22 to cradle 26.Specifically, straps 46 may pass around at least portion of an outerperiphery of exhaust treatment devices 22. Each strap 46 may be composedof a flexible band of material. Strap 46 may be composed of, forexample, metal, rubber, composite, polymer or any other appropriatematerial known in the art. In one embodiment, strap 46 may be composedof thin steel.

As shown in FIG. 3, straps 46 may couple to different sides of firstbracket 28 and/or second bracket 30. Each strap 46 may include a firststrap member 50 and a second strap member 52. First strap member 50 andsecond strap member 52 may couple together at a junction 54. First strapmember 50 and second strap member 52 may each include a plurality ofcouplers 56. Each coupler 56 may fasten an end of first strap member 50and/or second strap member 52 to another object.

Each coupler 56 may comprise, for example, a ratchet, a loop, a buckle,a hitch, a hook, or any other appropriate type of coupler or fastenerknown in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, one coupler 56 of firststrap member 50 may comprise a loop 58 securing a threaded fastener 60on a first end 62 of first strap member 50. Another coupler 56 of firststrap member 50 may comprise a loop 64 located on a second end 66 offirst strap member 50. Second strap member 52 may also include one ormore couplers 56, and more specifically, a loop 68 with a threadedfastener 70 located on a first end 72 of second strap member 52 and aloop 74 located on a second end 76 of second strap member 52.

As shown in FIG. 4, loop 58 and loop 68 may each include a slot 78. Eachslot 78 may run parallel to a longitudinal dimension of first strapmember 50 and second strap member 52, thus bifurcating each of loop 58and loop 68. It is contemplated that threaded fastener 60 may besituated in slot 78 of loop 58 and threaded fastener 70 may be situatedin slot 78 of loop 68. Each of threaded fasteners 60 and 70 may comprisea T-shaped member. Each bifurcated side of loop 58 may pass over aportion of the cross-member of the “T” of threaded fastener 60, thussecuring threaded fastener 60 to first strap member 50. Similarly, eachbifurcated side of loop 68 may pass over a portion of the cross-memberof the “T” of threaded fastener 70, thus securing threaded fastener 70to second strap member 52.

Threaded fastener 60 may mate with threaded fastener 70 at junction 54in order to secure first strap member 50 to second strap member 52. Itis contemplated that threaded fastener 70 may be a male threadedfastener while threaded fastener 60 may be a female threaded fastenerconfigured to receive the male fastener. Alternatively, the female andmale relationship of threaded fasteners 60, 70 may be reversed. At leastone of threaded fastener 60 or threaded fastener 70 may be rotatable,thus allowing first and second strap members 50, 52 to be tightenedaround exhaust treatment device 22.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, loop 64 may connect first strap member 50 tocradle 26. Specifically, a pin 80 (see also FIG. 3) may pass throughloop 64 to secure first strap member 50 to cradle 26. Loop 64 may beformed by looping the flexible band of material of first strap member 50backward and attaching it to itself at a point of securement 82. In someembodiments, loop 64 may have a teardrop shape comprising an innerportion 84, a curved portion 86, and an outer portion 88 of first strapmember 50. Outer portion 88 of first strap member 50 may be secured toinner portion 84 of first strap member 50 at point of securement 82 toform the teardrop shape. Inner portion 84 Outer portion 88 and innerportion 84 may be secured via mechanical fastening, welding, or anyother appropriate method.

It is contemplated that loop 74 of second strap member 52 may besubstantially similar to loop 64. In other words, loop 74 may securesecond strap member 52 to cradle 26 via a pin 80. Loop 74 may also beformed by looping the flexible band of material of second strap member52 backward and attaching it to itself at a point of securement 90.Specifically, loop 74 may formed by attaching an inner portion 92 to anouter portion 96 at point of securement 90. Like loop 64, loop 74 mayhave a tear-drop shape. Inner portion 92 may attach to outer portion 96via mechanical fastening, welding, or any other appropriate method.

It is contemplated that first strap member 50 may be composed of asingle piece of flexible material that is looped and secured to itself afirst time to create loop 64 and looped and secured to itself a secondtime to create loop 58. Similarly, second strap member 52 may becomposed of a single piece of flexible material that is looped andsecured to itself a first time to create loop 74 and looped and securedto itself a second time to create loop 68. On second strap member 52,the point of securement for loop 68 and point of securement 90 for loop74 may be approximately the same location on second strap member 52.Second strap member 52 may also have a tongue 61 that may pass underfirst strap member 50 when threaded fastener 60 is mated with threadedfastener 70.

Strap 46 may have an effective length 100. Effective length 100 may bedefined as a distance along strap 46 from an end of loop 64 (i.e.,curved portion 86) to an end of the loop 74 (i.e., curved portion 94)when threaded fastener 60 is mated with threaded fastener 70. Firststrap member 50 may also have a loop length 101. Loop length 101 forloop 64 may be defined as a distance along first strap member 50 fromcurved portion 86 to point of securement 82. Similarly, loop length 101for loop 74 may be defined as a distance along second strap member 52from curved portion 94 to point of securement 90. It is contemplatedthat loop length 101 for each of first strap member 50 and second strapmember 52 may be no less than one third of effective length 100. In someembodiments, loop length 101 for each of first strap member 50 andsecond strap member 52 may be one third of effective length 100.

Referring to loop 64, outer portion 88 may form an angle (3 with respectto inner portion 84 that is no greater than about 10 degrees as outerportion 88 diverges from abutting inner portion 84. Similarly, referringto loop 74, outer portion 96 may form an angle a with respect to innerportion 92 that is no greater than about 10 degrees as outer portion 96diverges from abutting inner portion 92. In some embodiments, a and maybe between about 8-10 degrees.

At least one end of strap 46 may couple to pin 80 at a radial distanceaway from an outer surface of exhaust treatment device 22. Starting atpin 80, first strap member 50 may pass above the outer surface ofexhaust treatment device 22 until it contacts the outer surface at atangent point 102. At tangent point 102, first strap member 50 may besubstantially tangent to the surface of exhaust treatment device 22. Itis contemplated that a distance along first strap member 50 from tangentpoint 102 to point of securement 82 may be no less than about two inches(50.8 mm). It is contemplated that outer portion 88 and inner portion 84may be substantially straight from tangent point 102 to curved portion86.

Similarly, it is contemplated that second strap member 52 may pass abovethe outer surface of exhaust treatment device 22 until it contacts theouter surface at tangent point 104. At tangent point 104, second strapmember 52 may be substantially tangent to the surface of exhausttreatment device 22. It is contemplated that a distance along secondstrap member 52 from tangent point 104 to point of securement 90 may beno less than about two inches (50.8 mm). It is contemplated that outerportion 96 and inner portion 92 may be substantially straight fromtangent point 104 to curved portion 94.

As shown in FIG. 7, strap 46 may attach to cradle 26 via pivotingmembers 106. Each pivoting member 106 may be a rigid member with acurved interior surface 114. It is contemplated that interior surface114 may conform to an outer surface of exhaust treatment device 22. Afirst pivoting member 118 may be located on a lower surface of exhausttreatment device 22 and a second pivoting member 120 may be located onan upper surface of exhaust treatment device 22. It is contemplated thata length of pivoting members 106 may vary. For example, first pivotingmember 118 may be longer than second pivoting member 120.

Referring to FIG. 8, each pivoting member 106 may include at least onepivot point. Specifically, each pivoting member 106 may include twopivot points. A first pivot point 110 may be located at a junctionbetween strap 46 and pivoting member 106. (See also FIG. 7.) A secondpivot point 112 may be located at a junction between pivoting member 106and cradle 26, or more specifically between pivoting member 106 andfirst bracket 28 and/or second bracket 30. Each pivoting member 106 maypivot at pivot point about pins 80. Pins 80 may be located interior toloops 64 and 74. Pins 80 may secure pivoting members 106 to cradle 26,thus securing strap 46 to cradle 26. Pivoting members 106 may becomposed of, for example, metal, composite, polymer or any otherappropriate material known in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed strap may be applicable to any emissions control system.The loops of the disclosed strap may have a flat outer portion and aflat inner portion, and thus may be free from extraneous folds and bendsthat create stress concentrations. Additionally, the outer portion maydiverge from abutting the inner portion at an angle of no more than 10degrees. This ensures that the inner portion and the outer portion arenear parallel to one another, which reduces stresses in the loop.

The disclosed strap may also include a point of securement for the loopthat is distanced from an end of the loop. This may increase a length ofthe loop and provide enhanced stability and reduced stressconcentrations in the loop. Decreasing stress concentrations mayincrease the usable life of the strap. Additionally, the disclosedpivoting members may reduce fatigue failures due to rocking of theexhaust treatment device in the disclosed cradle. The pivoting membersmay be especially effective in high vibration applications.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed straps andrelated structure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilledin the art from consideration of the specification and practice of thedisclosed straps. For example, in an alternative embodiment, it iscontemplated that the disclosed strap may be a unitary strap. In thisembodiment, the strap may be composed of a single piece of flexiblematerial with a coupler located on each end (e.g., a loop on one end anda ratchet on the other end). Each coupler may couple to the cradle tosecure an exhaust treatment device. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope being indicated by the following claims.

1. A strap for securing an exhaust treatment device, comprising: a coupler on a first end; and a loop on a second end, the loop including an inner portion, a curved portion, and an outer portion of the strap, wherein the outer portion of the strap is secured to the inner portion of the strap at a point of securement to form the loop, wherein the outer portion forms an angle with respect to the inner portion that is no greater than about 10 degrees as the outer portion diverges from abutting the inner portion.
 2. The strap of claim wherein the angle is more preferably between about 8-10 degrees.
 3. The strap of claim 1, wherein the strap includes a first strap member and a second strap member, wherein the first strap member and the second strap member are coupled together via a pair of threaded couplers.
 4. The strap of claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the strap is secured to the inner portion of the strap via welding or mechanical fastening.
 5. The strap of claim 1, wherein the loop is a first loop and the coupler is a second loop, the first loop attaching to a cradle on a first side of the cradle, the second loop attaching to a second side of the cradle such that the strap passes around at least portion of an outer periphery of the exhaust treatment device and secures the exhaust treatment device to the cradle.
 6. The strap of claim 5, wherein a first loop length is no less than one third of an effective length of the strap, wherein the effective length is defined as a distance from the curved portion of the first loop to an end of the second loop, the loop length being defined as a distance from the curved portion of the first loop to the point of securement of the outer portion and the inner portion of the first loop.
 7. A strap for securing an exhaust treatment device, comprising: a first strap member including a coupler on a first end and a loop on a second end; a second strap member including: a coupler on a first end configured to couple with the coupler of the first strap member, and a loop on a second end, the loop including a flexible band of material being looped and secured to itself at a point of securement, wherein a loop length is no less than one third of an effective length of the strap, wherein the effective length is defined as a distance from an end of the loop of the first strap member to an end of the loop of the second strap member when the coupler of the first strap member is coupled to the coupler of the second strap member, the loop length being defined as a distance from an end of the loop of the second strap member to the point of securement.
 8. The strap of claim 7, wherein the loop length is one third of the effective length.
 9. The strap of claim 7, wherein the loop on the second end of the second strap member includes an inner portion, a curved portion, and an outer portion of the band of material, wherein the outer portion of the band is secured to the inner portion of the band at the point of securement, the outer portion forming an angle with respect to the inner portion that is no greater than about 10 degrees as the outer portion diverges from abutting the inner portion.
 10. The strap of claim 9, wherein the angle is more preferably between about 8-10 degrees.
 11. The strap of claim 7, wherein the coupler of the first strap member and the coupler of the second strap member include threaded couplers.
 12. The strap of claim 7, wherein the loop on the second end of the first strap member also includes a flexible band of material being looped and secured to itself at a point of securement, the flexible band of material for both the first strap member and the second strap member attaching to itself via welding or mechanical fastening.
 13. The strap of claim 12, wherein the loop of the first strap member and the loop of the second strap member are each attached to a cradle to secure an exhaust treatment device to the cradle, and wherein the first strap member and second strap member pass around at least portion of an outer periphery of the exhaust treatment device.
 14. The strap of claim 13, wherein the exhaust treatment device is selected from a group consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter, a selective catalytic reduction device, a lean NOx trap, a regeneration device, or a reductant mixing device.
 15. The strap of claim 7, wherein the second strap member includes a single piece of flexible material that is looped and secured to itself a first time to create the loop on the second end and looped and secured to itself a second time to create a part of the coupler on the first end.
 16. An exhaust treatment system comprising: a cradle; an exhaust treatment device situated in the cradle; a strap passing around at least a portion of the exhaust treatment device to secure the exhaust treatment device to the cradle, the strap including: a first loop on a first end of the strap connected to the cradle; and a second loop on a second end of the strap connected to the cradle, the second loop including a flexible band of material being looped and secured to itself at a point of securement, wherein a loop length is no less than one third of an effective length of the strap, wherein the effective length is defined as a distance from an end of the first loop to an end of the second loop, the loop length being defined as a distance from the end of the second loop to the point of securement.
 17. The exhaust treatment system of claim 16, wherein the exhaust treatment device is selected from a group consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter, a selective catalytic reduction device, a lean NOx trap, a regeneration device, or a reductant mixing device.
 18. The exhaust treatment system of claim 16, wherein the strap includes a first strap member and a second strap member.
 19. The exhaust treatment system of claim 18, wherein the distance from the point of securement related to the first loop to the point where the first strap member contacts an outer surface of the exhaust treatment device is no less than about two inches.
 20. The exhaust treatment system of claim 18, wherein each of the first strap member and the second strap member are connected to a pivoting member that includes at least one pivot point. 